Sturgeon Fishing Open

[lakeofthewoodsmn]

On the south end...  Resorts / lodging facilities are doing a nice job adapting to high water conditions.  They are open for business, fishing has been great and they are taking good care of visitors.   

Good numbers of walleyes being caught.  Some fish are 10-15 feet on sand/rubble.  Other anglers are finding walleyes in deeper water, 25 - 31 feet over mud.  Pulling spinners with a crawler or minnow has been the goto method.  When you find fish congregated, that can be a good time to anchor up and jig them with a frozen shiner.

Walleyes almost always seem to be using the scattered reefs in the lake.  Some days they are on top, other days on the edge or just off the edge over mud.   

Trolling crankbaits and covering water continues to be effective.  Shiny gold, firetiger and purple are a few goto colors.  The key, getting lures to where the fish are.

In addition to walleyes and saugers, jumbo perch pike, smallmouth bass and even an occasional muskie, crappie or sturgeon are being caught. 

On the Rainy River...   The river is still high and has a lot of current.  Anglers fishing the river are figuring out where fish are living and keying in on current breaks and bays as a rule. 

A nice mixed bag in the river right now includes walleyes, saugers, smallmouth bass, and pike.  A good number of shiners in the river as well, which usually means lots of fish. 

The sturgeon "keep" season opened July 1st and goes through September 30.  Purchase a $5 sturgeon tag if you are planning on harvesting one.  Otherwise, you can catch and release them with a MN Fishing License.  Limit is one sturgeon per calendar year per person, 45" - 50" inclusive or over 75". 

Some big pike being caught in bays and feeder rivers.  Smallmouth bass around rocks and bridges.

Up at the NW Angle...  Fishing continues to be very good up at the Angle.  Anglers are fishing both the U.S. side and Ontario side of the lake with good success.

A mayfly hatch this week.  Lots of fish over mud feeding on mayfly nymphs.  Pulling spinners with a piece of crawler during a hatch is a proven technique.  Hammered gold and pink spinners have been good. 

Anglers fishing rocks are reporting crayfish in the bellies of walleyes.  Walleyes are normally active in these areas.  Lots of forage in the lake, thankfully, as that is the infrastructure that supports lots of fish.

Anglers fishing deep reefs and edges of reefs are still having success with a jig and minnow or plastic.  If fish are spread out, use a 2 ounce bottom bouncer and crawler harness (snelled spinner) to cover water. 

A mixed bag for most anglers with walleyes, saugers, pike, smallmouth bass, crappies, jumbo perch and muskies.

Muskie anglers reported good numbers of fish caught this week.  If you are staying in the Angle and boat into Ontario waters from MN, as long as you don't touch land, anchor, touch a dock while in Ontario, you don't need to clear customs each day, don't need to be vaccinated, etc.  If you do touch land in Ontario, you do need to clear customs daily before entering Ontario waters through the 888-CAN_PASS.

Various ways to travel to the Angle.

1.  Drive through Canada to the Angle  (must be vaccinated, no covid test required)

2.  LOW Passenger Service (charter boat service across the lake avoiding customs)

3.  Lake Country Air.(fly from various Midwest locations to LOW and NW Angle)

4.  Take your own boat.  (Safety first, this is a 40 mile ride over big water)

A complete list of lodging, guide and charter boat trips at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.